Ambrose Coffee, Irish Emigrant c1767

This Ambrose has often been confused with Ambrose Coffey, a son of the Rev. James and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey.  James was the eldest son of John and Jane Graves Coffey.

A timeline produced by an unknown author, appeared in the March, 1993 issue of the Coffey Cousins' Newsletter, provided the following:

The subject Ambrose was an Irish emigrant who was sent to the Virginia Colony in c1767/68 to work for John Hough (Huff), probably in Loudon Co.

1775/76 Came to Kentucky to Herrodsburg.

1776      Kentucky Historical Society Register, Vol. 30, page 127:  "The tide of emmigration [sic] to the Madison portion of Fincastle was slow but perceptible.  Among the arrivals of 1776, who were to become permanent settlers were --- Ambrose Coffee ---"

1775/76 Was a soldier stationed at Fincastle Co. (now Kentucky) Virginia.  The specific site was most certainly Ft. Boonesboro.  By 1888 Fincastle became Ky. Co. & in 1780 it was divided into 3 counties - Jefferson, Lincoln & Fayette & became a state in 1792.  Ambrose lived in Herrodsburg.

1775/84 Lived in Boonesboro.

1779      10 Oct. Gave deposition regarding lad title at Ft. Boonesboro, Ky.

1780/83 Marriage.

1783      First child, Sarah, was born.  She married James Mcguire.

1785/87 Moved to Ruskes Settlement & stayed a year. or two.

1785       Second child, William was born.  He married Elizabeth Lacy.

1786       Signed petition for division of Lincoln Co., Ky into Mercer, Lincoln, and Madison counties.  Madison Co., Ky. was organized Aug.22, 1786.

1787       Third child, Ambrose Jr., was born.  He mar. 1st. Lucinda Day, 2nd Margaret Norman, a widow.

1789/91 Mill bought by Col. Holder.  Stayed two more yrs.

1791      Moved to Spencer Creek.

1792/1809 Moved to Slate Creek.

1793      Fourth Child, Ailsey, born.  She married Elijah Brown.

1795      Sept. 17, Daniel Williams & wife, Violet (Couch), of Clark Co., Ky. to Ambrose Coffey of same --- for ten pounds --- 20 acrs [sic] on Spencer's Creek, being part of Edward Williams' 400 acres pre-emptioned [sic] and adjoining same. (Daniel and Ambrose were Jim Sparks'* 3rd G-Grandfathers.)

17 Aug 1797     Fifth child, Rebecca Jane, born.  She mar. Wm. S. Lykins.

2 Jan 1799         Ambrose Coffee, deposed, at a spring near Joel Estill's fence, that "about 17 or 18" years ago, he, Ambrose Coffee had camped near this spelling. (1781/82)

1799     Sixth child, Elijah, born.  He mar. 1st Margaret Patrick 2nd Elizabeth Bowen.

1801     Seventh child, Raleigh, born.  He mar. Annis Anne Anderson.

1803     Eighth child, Jesse, Born.

21 Nov 1809  Kentucky Historical Society Register, Vol. 30, p136.  One of the most noted cases (of land disputes) was that of Green Clay vs. Henry Banta.... The depositions taken embrace the name of nearly all the early prominant [sic] settlers of the county.  The positions of the various localities named called into requisition the knowledge of such old hunters, fort builders and Indian scouts, including --- Ambrose Coffee...

1809     In his deposition in the Clay/Banta land dispute, Ambrose Coffee deposed that he first became acquainted with Muddy Creek in the year 1777 as he had come to Kentucky in 1776.  He claimed he had been sold to John Huff/Hough for passage money to America from over the "High Seas."  Ambrose Coffee was referred to as that "Irish Convict" from Ireland in other dispositions in the Clay/Banta dispute.

1810     Census of Montgomery County, Kentucky.

             363 Coffee, Ambrose  1M under 10  1 F 10-26 1 M 16-26  2 F 16-26 1 M over 45  1 F over 45

1820     Death in Montgomery County, Kentucky

Footnote 1:  The above Ambrose Coffee, is in no way to be confused with the Ambrose Coffee [sic] who came later to Kentucky from North Carolina.  They are two separate individuals and as far as cam [sic] be ascertained had no immediate relationship.  Our Ambrose Coffee, having come directly from Ireland to Kentucky [sic] spelled the mane [sic] Coffee, whereas the other often used Coffey/Coffy as the spelling.**

Footnote 2:  County changes in Kentucky during the 1700 and 1800's.

1772...Virginia Colony created Fincastle County which included all of Kentucky.

1774...James Harrod settled Harrodsburg.

1775...Boonesboro, Marison County settled.

1776...All of Kentucky designated as Kentucky County, VA.

1780---Kentucky County, VA. was divided into 3 counties--Fayette, Jefferson and Lincoln.

1790...There were nine counties---Mason..1789; Bourbon...1786; Woodford..1789; Fayette..1780; Madison..1786; Jefferson..1780; Mercer..1786; Nelson..1785; and Lincoln..1780

1792...Kentucky became a state.

* No idea who Jim Sparks is/was of date this timeline was created.  Punctuation, spacing, etc. is not consistent in the original.  Reproduced here as close to original as possible. I have made no effort to verify the accuracy of this information..

Through the magic of DNA, Edward researchers know this Ambrose was not related to Edward.

Robert W. Coffey (1845-1929)

A reader recently wrote to ask for any information about Mary Ann Bennett who married Robert W. Coffey of Adair Co., KY.

Robert was a son of Zidner and Morgana "Ann" Keltner Coffey and was born c1845 in Adair Co., KY.  Researchers believe that he was married at least three times between 1868 and 1890.  

Robert first married Mary Ann Bennett in Adair Co. on Aug. 13, 1868.  In 1870 the couple lived in East Fork, Metcalfe Co., KY and in 1880 they were in Gradyville, Adair Co.  They apparently had no children that survived much beyond birth because there were none to appear in the household at either census.

We believe Mary Ann died sometime after 1880 because Robert was subsequently married on Feb. 12, 1890 to Sally Catherine Compton in Adair Co. 

They remained married for nearly 30 years and were the parents of at least two children:  

Maggie Pearl, born Dec. 31, 1890 in Adair Co. and died there on May 1, 1937.  Maggie married Curt Stephens of Metcalfe Co. on Apr. 12, 1924 in Jeffersonville, Clarke Co., IN.  She was 33 years old and very likely had been previously married.  There are no known children.

William Zidner, born 1892 in Columbia, Adair Co., died in Ohio on Dec. 18, 1961.  He married three times.  His first was to Maggie Helm, born 1892 in Columbia, Adair Co., died 1972 in Butler Co., OH.  They are known to have had one child, Eunice Katherine, born 1925, died in Hamilton Co., OH in 1983.

William's second wife was Louise Estel DeBolt on May 27, 1919.  She was a native of Wetzel Co., WV and no children are known.  Third marriage was to Lydia A. Williams in c1922 OH.  She was born there in 1895 and died there in 1991.  Again, no known children.

It is thought that Robert was married again, and after Mary Ann in the period between 1880 and 1890.  This thought arises from the fact that in 1900 Robert reported that he had been married three times.  In the household that year was Lillian M. Coffey, age 16, born Mar., 1884 and enumerated as Robert's daughter.  Maggie and William were also included in this census.

My reader believes that Lillian married Charles M. Bragg in 1906.  Others, like me, believe Charles' bride was Lillie Mae, the daughter of Cyrus C. and Parthenia "Emma" Wheat Coffey.  In the marriage record to Charles, she was named Lillie May.

Please contact me if you have any information that might be helpful in determining whose daughter married Charles M. Bragg.

---

*There is a marriage record dated Jul. 1, 1882 for an "R. W. or Robert W. Coffey" in Taylor Co., KY, situated some 30 miles distant from Adair Co.  On the license abstract, the groom's birth year is way off leading me to believe this is not the R. W. we are looking for.  The bride of record was Martha Taylor, age 19.

Herbert G. Chumbley

Herbert & Myrtle Coffey Chumbley
(Thought to be their wedding photo*)

Herbert was the oldest child and son of William and Julia Catherine Lester Chumbley of Pulaski Co., KY.  He was born in Nancy, KY on Dec. 16, 1893 and died on Mar. 5, 1920 in Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY.

Herbert grew up in Pulaski Co., and on Jun. 5, 1917 registered there for the WW1 draft.  He subsequently served with Battery E., 124th Field Artillery of the US Army.

In Oct. 1919 he married Myrtle "Myrtie" Coffey, the second of four daughters born to Tolbert Nelson and Sarah Roberts Coffey.  She would be my sixth cousin.

Myrtie was born c1902 and perhaps in Whitley Co., KY.  Her sisters were Martha, born in 1899; Minnie J., born in 1904 and Lora, born 1907.  Tolbert died in 1907 and in 1914, Sarah married Andrew Cader Worley.

Herbert and Myrtie were married in Oct., 1919.  In Jan, 1920 they were "lodgers" in the Columbus Mining Camp at Hazard in Perry Co., KY.  The head of household was Fred Stephens and his wife, Shirley Ethel Chumbley Stephens, sister to Herbert.  

Herbert and Myrtie relocated to Whitley Co. in Fed. 1920 where Herbert took a job in another coal mine.  Ten days later, on Mar. 5, 1920, he suffered second degree burns in a mine explosion.  His death certificate reports that he had been a resident of Whitley for 10 days; a resident of Kentucky for 21 years. He was rushed to the Louisville Jewish Hospital where he died.

Herbert Chumbley Death Certificate

Herbert was laid to rest at the Mill Springs National Cemetery in Nancy on Mar. 6, 1920.

There were no known children born to Herbert and Myrtie.  

She is reported* to have married John Calvin Williams in about 1923 but I have not yet found a marriage record.  She and John moved to Ohio where he worked in various machine shops.  They appeared there in the 1930 and 1940 census with a son, Herschel, born c1924 in KY.  

John died in 1968 and Winfield in Scott Co., TN but Myrtle was not named as the wife in his obituary.  Myrtle is said to have died in Cincinnati, OH in 1961 but I have found no documentation or record of her burial.

---

*From the Ancestry public family tree owned by and used with permission of Gloria Marie Herbert and originally submitted by Mary Held.

Rice & Sarah Bradford Coffey

Rice was the son of a Baptist preacher.

Rice Coffey was the ninth of at least 11 children born to the Rev. James Coffey and wife, Elizabeth Cleveland.  James was the oldest son of John and Jane Graves Coffey; John the eldest of Edward and Anne Powell Coffey.

We know little about his early life until he married Sarah Bradford in about 1790.  He appears in very few North Carolina records which indicates that he and Sarah moved early in their union to Wartrace, at the time the second largest town in Bedford Co., TN.  According to Worth S. Ray in his huge work Tennessee Cousins, A History of the Tennessee People¹, the town of Wartrace was built on land donated by Rice and Henry B. Coffee.² [sic]  I personally do not know of a Henry B. Coffee/y associated with Rice until the birth of his son, Henry Bradford Coffey in 1796.

The first tax record in which Rice appears in Bedford Co. is one created in 1812.  An account written c1890 by a grandson, Rice Abner Coffey, reports that Rice moved from NC to Bedford Co. in 1808 and all but the last three of his children were born in NC.  If that is true, migration to TN would have been a bit earlier that 1808.  The 7th of his and Sally's children³, Martha D., was born Dec. 24, 1806 in TN.

Sally was born to Bennett and Margaret White Bradford4 July 22, 1770 in Bedford Co., perhaps in the same area of Wartrace Creek that later became the incorporated town of Wartrace.  She died there on Sep. 3, 1840 and was buried at the Old Salem Cemetery at Bell Buckle in Bedford Co.5   Rice died on Jul. 24, 1853 in Bedford Co., and was buried in the Coffey family cemetery at Wartrace.

Their children were:

Jerusha, a daughter born May 4, 1792 in Wilkes Co., NC; died Mar. 10, 1810 at Old Salem.

Elvira, born May 14, 1794, in NC and probably Wilkes Co., died Jul. 20, 1849 in Bedford Co.  She is also buried at Old Salem.

Henry Bradford, born Jul. 12, 1796 in Wilkes Co., died Apr. 11, 1864 at Jackson, Clarke Co., AL.  I have no independent information that Henry died during the Civil War,  After all, he was at least 67 years old when he died, a bit old to have taken up the cause, but I wonder what was he doing 300+ miles south of Wartrace in that year.  He was buried in Jackson at the Cross Cemetery.

His spouse was Sarah Rial Edmondson, born in Halifax Co., VA in 1809, died Mar. 31, 1892 in Wartrace.and was buried at the Coffee Cemetery.  She was the mother of ten:  Wiley Daniel; Elizabeth A., Richard E., Jane; Elvira; William Edmondson; Mary; Martha; Garland Rice and Isham.

Following Henry Bradford was Mary G., born 1797 in Wilkes Co., died Oct. 22, 1878 in Wartrace.  She married John Kendall (var) on Mar. 4, 1821 in Bedford Co.  They had a number of children, including Arcena who married a Prewitt, but I have not researched all of this family.Mary is buried at the Coffee Cemetery in Wartrace.

Weightstill Avery was next, born 1801 in NC, died 1837 in Bedford Co.  No known marriages.  He is buried at Old Salem.

Alexander Hamilton, born Jan. 19, 1803 in NC, died Apr. 5, 1864 in Jackson Co., AL.  His wife was Nancy E. Weatherly to whom he was married on Aut. 2, 1828 in Rutherford Co., TN.6  He was buried at Fackler in Jackson Co. at the Roach Cemetery.  Nancy died in 1841 and was buried at Old Salem.7

Their children were Rice Abner, 1833-1896; Michael A., c1837-? and, Weightstill Avery, 1837-1898.  Rice and Abner apparently migrated to Scottsboro in Jackson Co., AL.  They each died there and were buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery.  Rice Abner married Mary Ann Coffey, his first cousin, daughter of Benjamin and Mary E. Roach Coffey. Benjamin and Alexander Hamilton were brothers. Weightstill Avery married Mary Elizabeth Harris on May 2, 1866 in Jackson Co.8  Their children were Alexander Harris; Rice Abner; Eula Lee; Weightstill III, Mary Hudson and Vivian.

Rice and Sally's seventh child was Martha D., born Dec. 24, 1806 in TN, died Mar. 25, 1849 in Benton Co., AR.  Her spouse was Col. Alexander Curry Yell, born Nov. 12, 1805 in Rutherford Co., TN, died Oct. 24, 1881 in Benton Co.  Their children were Sarah J., Mary E., Martha E., Elizabeth, Marna and their only son, Archibald Yell.  Martha and Col. Yell are buried at the Yell Cemetery in Siloam Springs, Benton Co.9

Benjamin B. was next born.  His birth date was Aug. 16, 1809 in TN and death on Apr. 6, 1864 in AL.  He married Mary Elizabeth Roach, bor Sep. 4, 1824, died Sep. 8, 1850 in AL.  They are buried at the Roach Cemetery in Fackler.  I know of only one child, Mary Ann, born 1842, died 1864,  She was the wife of Rice Abner, above.

The last child born to Rice and Sally was Gen. John Reid Coffey.  You can read more about the General in a 2005 blog, updated July 25, 2014.

---

Some few years ago, a visitor to Coffey Cousins submitted the following information,   It was not an original document but was represented to me as a document that should be accepted at face value, with no additional proof. I passed the document around to various long time Coffee/Coffey researchers, asking for help authenticating the claim that Rice Coffee was the father of William Berry Coffee. To my surprise, none of them had ever seen or heard about the document. None of them denied that it could be truthful, but none could authenticate with documentation the claim that William Coffee Berry was the illegitimate son of Rice Coffee and Elizabeth Fields Berry.

Here is the text as I received it:

"William Coffee Berry was the illegitimate son of Rice Coffee and Elizabeth Fields Berry. She was the widow of a Revolutionary War soldier who had died of rheumatic fever. She then moved down to Wilkes County, North Carolina, where a brother & sister had married into the Coffee family. Rice Coffee refused (or couldn't) marry Elizabeth, but apparently did acknowledge that William, and later Mary, were his. Elizabeth gave both his name and her married name to both children.William was an Elder in the Refugee Baptist Church in Henderson County, North Carolina in 1850 ..and also became a literal refugee later in June of 1863 when he, his second wife and teenage daughter had to flee their home ahead of advancing Yankee troops.

"In 1870 at Avery's Creek, North Carolina, when he was 74, he wrote out a detailed account of the family's history, from which many of the facts in this total computer file were drawn. Here is that account, deciphered as best was possible, given the condition of the document and his handwriting:"

A BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF THE BERRY FAMILY By William Coffee Berry January 30, 1870 "Richard Fields married Elizabeth Murrel, the sister of Drury Murrel ...all natives of Amherst County, Virginia. After marriage, Mr. Fields settled in Albemarle County, Virginia where Mrs. Fields became the mother of four children: Thomas, Joel, Elizabeth and Sarah. Mr. Fields died and his widow married a second time. Her second marriage was to John Gilliam, by whom she became the mother of three sons: Epaphroditus, Cornelius and John. Thomas (Fields), her oldest son, married Elizabeth Coffee and emigrated to Wilkes County, North Carolina, where he lived to an advanced age and died, leaving a large and respectable family behind him.

"Joel (Fields) died in the 21st year of his age and left no descendants. Sarah (Fields) married Thomas Coffee. They emigrated shortly after the close of the Revolution to N.C. and settled in Wilkes County. She became the mother of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. -Her second son, Reuben, was a distinguished Baptist clergyman. He emigrated with his family and two of his younger brothers and their families to the state of Indiana, and settled in Monroe County near Bloomington, where all those brothers have since died.

"Reuben, (along with) Lewis and Larkin Epaphroditus Gilliam, emigrated from Virginia to Wilkes County, North Carolina ....and married Sally Israel, daughter of Michael Israel, and moved with his family to Clay County, Missouri, where he has since died. He was a local Methodist preacher. Cornelius Gilliam married a Miss Wood and moved to Kentucky, where he accumulated a handsome property and died without any children. John Gilliam (Jr. ?) married, lived and died in Virginia.
Elizabeth Fields married Bradley Berry of Albemarle County, Virginia, by whom she became the mother of a son and called his name Franklin. After his birth his mother, Elizabeth Berry, moved with her infant son Franklin to Wilkes County, N.C. ... where she became the mother of Mary and William, the avowed and acknowledged offspring of Rice Coffee.

"(Several lines here were erased or obliterated by someone who [apparently] couldn't stand the idea of this ancestor being illegitimate. It was likely Ruth Parker, who was the custodian of this document in 1971. Her qualification as a DAR would be in question if she could not trace a direct bloodline back to a Revolutionary War soldier, and being a DAR was very important to her. She even gives her DAR registration number, 489910, along with her signature.)

"When William C. Berry was in his 13th year (circa 1809), his mother moved with Mary and William to Buncombe County, N.C., where she lived until her death. This aforesaid Elizabeth Berry was born March 12th, 1755 and deceased on Monday, May 24th, 1824. Mary was born February 5th, 1789 and was married in February 1810 to Mr. David Rodgers, by whom she became the mother of nine children: Three sons and six daughters. Named as follows: (Sarah), Fawniah, Hugh, Mary, Jane, Robert, Elizabeth Emily, Margaret Minerva and David. The oldest was born December 16, 1811 and the youngest January 21, 1830. All are still living at the present date, 1870. Mary Rodgers, their mother, died April 21, 1857. She lived beloved and died lamented.

"The three sons, Hugh, Robert and David and five of their sisters are living in Jackson County, N.C. and all are in easy circumstances. The other sister, Mary, married Mr. Jason Chasteaux. They are settled on Toccoa River, Fanning County, Georgia and are in affluent circumstances.

"William C. Berry was born October 19th, 1796, and on the 30th day of April, 1816, was married to Miss Letticia Woody, daughter of Jonathan and Mary Woody, by whom he became the father of 12 children, six sons and six daughters: Thomas F, Elizabeth, Mary, William M.C., Larkin M., Mariah Louisa, Lewis Franklin, Sarah Elviry Emily, Martha Ann, Ephriam Moor, Joseph Manning, and Letticia Minerva June.

"Thomas F. was born February 2nd, 1817 and died July 18th, 1878. Elizabeth was born October 29th, 1818. She married William Bishop of Spartanburg, South Carolina May 16th, 1844, and became the mother of nine children, five sons and four daughters. She departed this life on April lst, 1864, aged 46 years, 5 months, 2 days. Mary Berry was born March 22nd, 1820, and was married to James B. Sutton (?) January 13th, 1842. She became the mother of ten children, two of which died in infancy. She lived to see six grandchildren and died November 22nd, 1869, aged 49 years and 8 months.
William M.C. Berry was born February 27th, 1822 and was married to Clarisa Williams, daughter of Frederic & Martha Elizabeth Williams of Spartanburg, S.C., by whom he became the father of four children, two sons and two daughters. He yet lives and recently visited his aged father, who now resides in Jackson County, N.C. at the close of the year 1869.

"Larkin M. Berry was born April 12th, 1824 and professed religion in his 13th year. He became a preacher in the Baptist denomination at age 17, and was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry December 24th, 1848. He has attained the character of an able, popular, efficient preacher. He married Miss Martha Bishop of Spartanburg May 16th, 1844 and became the father of four children, three sons and one daughter. He located himself and his family in the city of Lacon, Illinois in the spring of 1869 where he now lives on January 30th, 1870.

"Mariah Louisa was born April 10th, 1826 and married John Bishop of Spartanburg, S.C. on August 31st, 1848, by whom she became the mother of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Her husband, John Bishop, died near Richmond in the Confederate army in the spring of 1864. She is now living in Jackson County, N.C. in 1870.

"Lewis Franklin Berry was born May 25th, 1828 and found the baptist church at Boiling Springs, Spartanburg, in October 1844. He married Sarah Lewis of Spartanburg, by whom he became the father of seven children, five sons and two daughters. He emigrated to Morgan County, Alabama and settled three miles north of Summerville (?). ...professed to be a preacher of the gospel.

"Sarah Elviry Emily Berry was born March lst, 1830 and married John Crook, Jr. She died December 28th, 1865, aged 34 years, 9 months, 27 days. She left but one child behind to perpetuate her name.
Martha Ann was born May 3rd, 1832 and died on Friday, July 5th, 1834.

"Ephriam M. Berry was born August 9th, 1834 and professed religion on October 27th, 1850, and was baptized into the fellowship of the Refugee Baptist Church in Henderson County, N.C. He married Miss Matilda Jenkins in the spring of 1853. His wife, Matilda, lived seven months after their marriage and died of consumption on Monday, December 24th, 1853. In the year 1863, said E.M. Berry emigrated to the northwest ... located himself in the state of Indiana, where he has attained some degree of notoriety as an M.D. and an Eldership in the Christian Church.

"Joseph M. Berry was born December llth, 1837, made profession of the Christian religion October 26th, 1850, and was baptized into the fellowship of the Refugee Baptist Church in Henderson County, N.C. on Friday, November 8th, by his father, Elder William C. Berry. After the death of his mother, Joseph M. located in Greenville, S.C. where he married Susannah Owens, by whom he became the father of one child, a daughter born January lst, 1861. In the spring of 1863, he emigrated to the northwest, locating at Bedford, Indiana. He became a student of the high school at that place and has since attained to high distinction and notoriety as a scholar and a clergyman in the Christian Church.

"Letticia Minerva June Berry, the youngest of her father's family, was born March 4th, 1840 and professed religion October 25th, 1850, and was baptized into the fellowship of the Refugee Baptist Church in Henderson County, N.C. on Friday, November 8th, 1850 by her brother, Elder Larkin M. Berry. She remained at home with her parents until her mother's death, and she was then placed under the care & control of her Aunt Mary Rodgers. After the death of Mrs. Rodgers, Minerva returned to her father, who married Miss Charlotte Osbourn, daughter of Jermiah & Ann 0sbourn. She remained with her father and stepmother until June 23rd, 1863, when all were driven to the necessity of leaving home as refugees to seek a destination of safety in the state of South Carolina. Minerva then went to East Tennessee, where she was still living when last heard from by the writer, her father and her mother (Letticia Woody was married April 30th, 1846 and died April 14th, 1855, aged 56 years, 10 months, 22 days. She had lived many long years a pious and exemplary Christian life, and died in the full triumphs of the Christian faith. Jonathan Woody, her father, was the son of William Woody, a native of England. He married Sarah Persel, an English lady. They immigrated from England and settled on the Potomac River in the state of Virginia, where Jonathan was born. After his birth, the family moved to South Carolina where Jonathan married Mary Lovel, by whom he became the father of eight children, four sons & four daughters. Three died in infancy. Their father, Jonathan Woody, moved when nearly 100 years of age to the state of Iowa, and died at his youngest son's place, Berry Woody. Jonathan Woody had three brothers and four sisters: William, Talton, James, Elizabeth, Nancy, Sarah and Mary.

"William married a Miss Watkins. Nancy married John Slaton. Sarah married Abner Norrce and Mary married John Davice, nicknamed "Jack of Diamonds". William Woody, brother of Jonathan, had 13 children, nine sons and four daughters: John, Talton, William, Killis, Silas, Nicholas, David, Joseph, Washington, Nancy, Elizabeth, Kizzias (Polly) and Mary. Nancy married William Miller. Elizabeth married John Gasperson. Polly married a Mr. Cook.

"NOTE: William C. Berry wrote this account for his son, Joseph M. Berry, who carried it to Oklahoma, where it passed to Joseph's daughter, Lillie Belle Berry Clark in 1917. In 1951, Lillie entrusted it to Ruth Hope Parker Lessley, her niece whom she had raised from infancy. Ruth is the daughter of Laura Berry Parker, Lillie's sister, who died in 1907. In January, 1971, Ruth lived in Paducah, Kentucky."


[On Feb. 23, 2007, DNA testing confirmed that a direct descendant of William Berry Coffey is a Coffey, and likely the illegitimate son of Rice Coffey.  See Coffey Cousins' DNA website for details.]

---

Sources:

¹Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, Jul., 1950

² I do not know of a Henry B. Coffee/y associated with Rice until the birth of his son, Henry Bradford Coffey in 1796.  According to a TN State Historic Marker, Rice donated 8 acres to the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad on which the town was build around.

³ Some discrepancies exists in various accounts of the number and names of children.  The 1820 census lists 5 male children and 3 female, which agrees with the account presented here.  The oldest of their children, daughter Jerusha died in 1810.

4 Genealogical Publishing Co., Reprint, Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007), Page 212.  Margaret was Bennett's second wife.

5 I've wondered why she was buried at Bell Buckle, some two hours north of Wartrace on horseback.  Perhaps the Coffey Cemetery at Wartrace had not yet been established?! The oldest grave at Wartrace appears to be that of Rice who died in 1853.

6 Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VNXX-3CM : accessed 05 Mar 2013), Alexander H Coffey, and Nancy E Weatherly, 1828 and Zella Armstrong, Author/Compiler, Notable Southern Families, with Janie Preston Collop French, Author/Compiler (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1974), Vols. 5-6, Page 14.

7 Nancy E Weatherly, 1828 and Zella Armstrong, Author/Compiler, Notable Southern Families, with Janie Preston Collop French, Author/Compiler (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1974), Vols. 5-6, Page 14.

8 "Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FQDR-V2Q : accessed 10 Jan 2013), W. Avey Coffey and Bettie L. Harris, 02 May 1866.

9 This came to me several years ago and the source is unknown:  "We omitted to mention last week, the death of our old-time friend, Col. Yell. He was a well-known and prominent citizen of this [Washington Co., AR?] and Benton counties. The name of Aleck Yell in Northwest Arkansas was a household word. Always the friend of the oppressed, none knew him but to love him. Now that his earthly career is ended, the memory of his good deeds will outlive the cold marble that covers his ashes. Friend of our early days, sorrowfully we pronounce the word that makes us linger farewell."  Col. Yell was a son of Moses Archibald and Jane Curry Yell.  

James Whisenant & Amanda Starnes Coffey

James Whisenant* Coffey was a son of John Davidson Coffey of Ashe Co., NC and, Mary Ann Whisenant of Kentucky.  James was born in Indiana in July, 1846 and died in Ellettsville, Monroe Co., IN on Nov. 28, 1937.  Amanda Starnes was born Feb., 1844 in IN and died in Ellettsville on Jan. 12, 1909.  James and Amanda were married in Indiana on Mar. 16, 1865.**  Both are buried at the Ellettsville Methodist Church Cemetery.

James and Amanda had at lest two children, both sons.***  The eldest was Dora Sherman, born Jul., 1867 and died Dec. 29, 1890.  According to his memorial page on Find-A-Grave, Dora

"was one of the casualties of the "Massacre at Wounded Knee" in South Dakota on Dec. 29, 1890. 1st Sergeant Dora S. Coffey was a member of the 7th Cavalry, Company B. He was originally buried at the Military Cemetary in Pine Ridge, South Dakota but disenterred by his family in Jan. 1891 and presumably moved to Indiana to be reburied in the family burial plot."

He is now buried at Ellettsville Methodist with his parents.  He apparently never married.

George was the second known (to me) child of James and Amanda.  He was born on Apr. 9, 1868 in Monroe Co. and died in Ellettsville on Jul. 19, 1965.  He and Della Jane Billings, a daughter of Francis Marion and Rachel Ann Williams Billings, were married in Monroe Co. on May 13, 1890.  She was born in Monroe Co. in Oct., 1870 and died in Ellettsville on Jan. 2, 1951.  They too are buried at Ellettsville Methodist.

Della and George named the first of their three children after George's brother, Dora Sherman.  That son was born Jan. 1, 1891 in Indiana and died in Detroit, Wayne Co., MI on Sep. 11, 1958.  He married Bertha Irena (or, Irene) Stanger on Jul. 19, 1911 in Monroe Co., IN.  She was born on Jan. 25, 1892 in Ellettsville and died Apr. 19, 1987 in Clarkston, Asotin Co., WA.  I know of one child, Lois Jean, born Jun. 17, 1912 in Monroe Co., died Oct. 11, 1999 in Ellettsville.  Lois married Thomas Lee Litten, born Feb. 16, 1911 in Monroe Co., on Jun. 18, 1932 in Martinsville, Morgan Co.  He was a son of William Elmer and Goldie A. Amelick Litten.  Thomas died on Apr. 9, 1999 in Ellettsville.  Both are buried at Ellettsville Methodist.

Their second son was Frederick "Fred" M., born Aug., 1893 in Monroe Co., and died there in 1917.  He is not known to have married.  He is also at Ellettsville Methodist.

The third child was Nellie A., born Apr. 27, 1896 in Monroe Co., died Aug. 22, 1988 in Bloomington, Monroe Co.  Nellie married Joseph Carl Crum, a son of Harvey and Clara Viola Crum on May 25, 1916 in Monroe Co.  He was born Apr. 18, 1895 in Monroe Co. and died in Ellettsville on Aug. 19, 1959.  They too are at Ellettsville Methodist.  Their children were:  Mary Jane, married Robert N. Robinson; Fredrick [sic] G. "Fred,"; and Robert R.  Robert died on Aug. 4, 1986 in Peru, Miami Co., IN and is buried at Ever Rest Memorial Park in Logansport, Cass Co., IN.

Visit Elletsville Methodist on Find-A-Grave to view memorials to those families mentioned here.

---

*Sometimes found as Whisenand.
**Indiana Marriage Records Index, 1845-1920;.Index to Marriage Records Indiana: Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.  James W Coffey Spouse Name: Amanda Starnes Marriage Date: 16 Mar 1865 Book: 4 Page: 338
***In the 1900 census Amanda reported that she was the mother of 2, only 1 was then living.

Vester Lee & Bessie Moses Coffey

Vester Lee Coffey was a son of a John Coffey and Lezie or Letha, maiden name unknown.  In 1900 this family lived in Lower Creek Twp., Burke Co., NC and consisted of:

John Coffey, born Jul., 1845 in NC and had been married for 31 years.
Lezie (Letha?), wife, born Apr., 1853 in NC; mother of 14, 9 living
Son, Monroe, born Dec., 1879 in NC
Dau, Danna, born Jun., 1882 in NC
Son, Frank, born Jun., 1884 in NC
Son, Robey, born Jun., 1888 in NC
Son, Vester, born Jun., 1890 in NC
Dau, Nettie, born May, 1894 in NC

Vester married Bessie Moses in Burke Co. on Jan. 3, 1912 in Upper Creek Twp.  In the 1920 census the family appeared in Burke Co., Lower Creek Twp., with children: Claude, Roy and Bertha.  In 1930 they were living in Morganton, Burke Co. and had an additional child, a son named Aruel [sic].

Their son Claude Lee Coffey died in 2008 and his obituary appeared in the Burke Co. News Herald, of Feb. 24, 2008:

Claude Lee Coffey

Claude Lee Coffey, 95, of Morganton, died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at his residence following a period of declining health. Born in Burke County, on Sept. 27, 1912, he was the son of the late Vester Lee Coffey and Bessie Moses Coffey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Coffey, and a sister, Lillie Mae Hollifield. Claude was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Pacific Theatre in World War II. He retired from Broughton Hospital and was a member of Oak Forest United Methodist Church. Mr. Coffey was an avid gardener and fisherman.

Claude is survived by his wife, Katie Williams Coffey of the home; daughters, Carol Lee Walters and husband, Ronald, of Gastonia, Betty Jo McMahan and husband, the Rev. Stanley, of Burnsville, and Wanda Scott and husband, David, of Morganton; a brother, Arnold Coffey and wife, Mary, of Morganton; a sister, Bertha Wilson of Danville, Va.; grandchildren, Jeffrey Walters and wife, Angie, Jennifer Stamey and husband, Donnie, Shelly Thompson and husband, Keith, Joel McMahan, Dana Dale and husband, Jason, and D.J. Scott; and great-grandchildren, Tabitha and Will Thompson and Tanner and Jacey Dale.

The funeral will be held at 6 p.m. today in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Revs. Roderick Randolph and Stanley McMahan officiating. Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. before the service. At other times the family will be at the residence on Berry Street, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Condolences may be made online at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.

My problem is not knowing who John Coffey was?  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Jason Coffey (1874-1936)

Jason, a son of James Knox P. and Ann S. Williams Coffey, was born Nov. 26, 1874 in Middleburg Twp., Casey Co., KY.  From census records he was a dry goods salesman and/or merchant in that part of Kentucky for most of his life.

His first wife was Deva Dell Cox, a daughter of M.E.. and Eniza McClure Cox, born Dec. 16, 1881 in Casey Co.  They were married on Nov. 14, 1904* in Liberty, Casey Co. and remained together until Deva's death from Influenza on Jan. 12, 1923 in Yosemite, Casey Co.  She was buried at Middleburg Cemetery.

I can find three children born to this union:

James McClure, born May 28, 1907 in Casey Co., and died there on Jul. 18, 1907.  He is also buried at Middleburg Cemetery.

Maurine, born 1910, died 1977 in Middleburg.  She married George A. Elliott, born 1913, but I have not found a marriage record.  George died in 2004; Maurine died in Middleburg in 1977.  Both are buried at Middleburg Cemetery.

The last child was Alice Maxine, born c1916.  No further information.

Following Deva's death, Jason married Wanda Hatter, c1924.  She was a daughter of Fountain and Sarah Angeline Black Hatter.  I have seen her given name reported as Wauda and Wauda Wanda in several on-line genealogies.  The SSDI and the 1930 census records her name as Wanda.  In the 1900 census, while still in her parents household, was recorded as Wandy, born May, 1890.  The SSDI reports her birth year as 1889.  I have not seen her headstone but, she is recorded on Find-A-Grave (FAG) as Wauda H. Black Coffey**  with a birth date of Mar. 18, 1889 and a death date of Mar. 26, 1972.    I do not believe she was married prior to her union with Jason.  In the 1930 census she gave her age as 38 and married at age 32.  She is buried at Green River Christian Church Cemetery in Yosemite.

Jason died on Jun. 22, 1936 in Yosemite and was buried the following day at Middleburg Cemetery.

---

*Groom's Name: Jason Coffey Groom's Birth Date: Groom's Birthplace: Groom's Age: Bride's Name: Deva Dell Cox Bride's Birth Date: Bride's Birthplace: Bride's Age: Marriage Date: 14 Nov 1904 Marriage Place: Liberty, Casey, Kentucky Groom's Father's Name: Groom's Mother's Name: Bride's Father's Name: Bride's Mother's Name: Groom's Race: Groom's Marital Status: Groom's Previous Wife's Name: Bride's Race: Bride's Marital Status: Bride's Previous Husband's Name: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M01529-8 System Origin: Kentucky-EASy Source Film Number: 1942721 Reference Number: P. 240-41

**Many FAG contributors are known to add more information to their entries than appears on the headstone.

John Nathan & Emma Mariah McGowan Coffey

John was born in Texas on Apr. 21, 1847 to William Saunders and Elizabeth Schooler Coffey.  His parents moved from Kentucky to Texas before 1850 and settled in Lavaca Co., where John was likely born.  He was there on Feb. 15, 1872 when he married Emma Mariah McGowan, born Jan. 12, 1849 in MS.  John died Sep. 13, 1919 and Emma died on Nov. 17, 1933, both in Brown Co., TX and are buried in the Zephyr Cemetery.

John and Emma were parents of at least nine children.  At least five of those grew to adulthood.

Elizabeth J., born c1873, Lavaca Co., no further information.
William Sanders [sic], born Jul. 16, 1874, died Aug. 16, 1877 in Lavaca Co.
Lucinda Collins, born Dec. 10, 1875, died Aug. 6, 1877 in Lavaca Co.
Cecil Isadora, born Sep. 4, 1877 in Schulenburg, Fayette Co., TX; died Apr. 11, 1959 at Goldthwaite in Mills Co., TX.
Martha T. "Mattie", born Feb. 9, 1879 in Schulenburg, died Jun. 25, 1949 in Brownwood, Brown Co.
Zula P., born Apr. 1, 1885 in Brown Co., died May 4, 1973 in Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., TX.
John Narvin, born Sep. 8, 1886 in Brown Co., died Dec. 8, 1918 in Zephyr, Brown Co.
Zachriah Brooks, born Jan. 1, 1889 in Brown Co., died Mar. 29, 1967 in Brownwood.
Jesse L., born Jul. 11, 1892 in Brown Co., no further information.

Cecil Isadora was the first that I know to have married.  Her spouse was Andrew Franklin Shelton, born Jan. 16, 1871 in Jackson Co., NC, died Feb. 12, 1972 in Goldthwaite, Mills Co., TX.  Both are buried at Oak View Cemetery in Mullin, Mills Co., TX.

Their children were Arthur F., born c1896; Emma Rue, born Jun. 15, 1900 in Mullin, died Aug. 11, 1957 in Bluff Dale, Erath Co., TX.  Emma married a Mr. Hancock and died in an automobile/train accident in which she suffered a severe head injury.  She was returned to Mullin and was also buried there; John Nathan, born c1902; Vada Elizabeth, born Oct. 12, 1906, died Feb. 18, 1933 in Brownwood, Brown Co., TX.  She was buried at Mullin also; William Dewey, born c1908; Homer W., born c1911; and Minnie R., born c1916.

Martha "Mattie," was married c1905 to Cecil McCutchan, born Oct., 1879 in Brown Co.  He was a son of John B. and Emma Goode McCutchan, Missouri natives who moved to TX, probably before the turn of the 20th century.  John died in 1907, Brown Co., and Emma died in 1936 at Abilene in Taylor Co., TX.  Both are buried at Zephyr in Brown Co.

Cecil and Mattie are not known to have had any children.  They were childless in the 1920 census and Cecil died on Sep. 22, 1919.  In 1920 Mattie was enumerated with an "orphan" child, Milford Tenyson, age 14.  She died in 1949 in Brownwood and was buried with Cecil at Zephyr.

Zula is named in the Texas death records as Zula K. McCown.  No other information.

John Narvin married Mollie Couch, a daughter of John Pleas and Maggie Brewer Couch.  John was born in TX and Maggie in TN.  Mollie was born on Mar. 16, 1888 in TX and died in Fort Worth on July 5, 1951.  She and John were parents of:

Effie Pearl, born Mar. 2, 1906 in Brown Co., and died in TX on May 6, 2001.  Effie married James Matthew "Jim" Jones on May 25, 1924 in Brownwood.  He was born in tX on Nov. 15, 1900 and died there on Mar. 27, 1967.  Their children were Jack R., born c1925 and Trelilita (sp?), a daughter, born c1926, both in TX.

John Pleas "Bud". born Jun. 1, 1908 in Brown Co., died Jan. 6, 1970 in Brownwood.  He married Ida Louise Hill on Dec. 7, 1930 in Brownwood.  No further information.

Annie Jessie, born Jul. 10, 1910 in Zephyr, died there of burns on Feb. 28, 1921.  She is also buried at Zephyr.

William Lynn, born Aug. 16, 1912 in Brown Co., died there on Dec. 2, 1989.  William married Sallie Venice Smith, a daughter of Thomas Greenberry and Sarah Jane Williams Smith.  She was born in Cottle Co., TX on Oct. 11, 1911 and died in Brown Co. on Mar. 8, 2004.  Both are buried at Zephyr.  Thomas and Sarah are buried at the Breckinridge cemetery in Stephens Co., TX.

Narvin Wayne, born Oct. 3, 1914 in Zephyr, became a Naval officer.  He married Bonifa A. Williams, a dauther of Russell B. and Lanie R. Williams, on Apr. 11, 1941 in El Paso Co., TX.  Narvin died on Sep. 17, 2005 in Graham, Young Co., TX.  Bonifa died there on Oct. 27, 1994.  I know of one child, Charles Noel, born Dec. 30, 1937 in El Paso Co.  There is an unexplained gap of four years between his birth and his parents marriage date.

Their last child was Lee C., born c1917 in Brown Co.  No further information.

Zachariah Brooks, born Jan. 1, 1889 in Brown Co. and died there on Mar. 29, 1967.  He married Kate Marie "Katie" Graves on Apr. 30, 1911.  Katie was born July 5, 1895 in Red River Co., TX and died in Zephyr on Oct. 5, 1984. Both are buried at Zephyr.

Their children were:

Cecil Franz, born Mar. 12, 1912 in Brown Co., died Feb. 27, 1997.  His spouse was Lee Frances Lunsford, born Oct. 5, 1923, died Dec. 16, 1948.  They too are buried at Zephyr.  Frances was a daughter of Marvin A. and Clara Mae Ramsey Lunsford.  No further information.

Allie, born c1915.  No further information.

Lowell W. "Toss", born Nov. 21, 1918 in Brown Co., died there on Sep. 6, 2002.  He is also buried at Zephyr.

The last known child of John and Emma was a daughter, Jessie L., born Jul., 1892.  No further information.

---

Update Jul. 23, 2011:

The McGowan surname seems to have evolved to McCown.  I have seen some death records where it was spelled McCowan but, for the most part, the family appears to have been a bit more consistent with the McCown spelling.

Emma Mariah McCown was a daughter of James P. and Lucinda Isaacs McCown. Her sibling, Zachary Taylor McCown married Sarah Texanna Perkins c1869 in TX and, their son, Ivan Lynn McCown was the husband of Zula Coffey, mentioned above.  Zula was born Apr. 1, 1885 in Brown Co., TX and married Ivan c1902 in TX.  He died Jun. 9, 1940 in Zephyr, Brown Co., TX and is buried at Zephyr Cemetery with Zula.

The Red Ryder

I am getting a jump on Memorial Day by honoring this WW2 Bomber Crew today.

---

Standing (R-L): Pilot, 1st Lt. George N. Ryder, Jr, husband of Mary A. Ryder, Decatur, GA; Co-pilot, 2nd Lt. Wayne A. Kretschmar, son of Otto B. Kretschmar, Venturia, ND; Navigator, 2nd Lt. Billy K. Isbell, son of Ray E. Isbell, Charleston, IL; Bombadier, 2nd Lt. Easton W. Duval³, Jr., son of W. E. Duval, Sr., Austin, TX; Right Waist Gunner, T/Sgt Robert D. McIntire, son of Ella McIntire, St. Louis Park, MN

Kneeling (R-L): Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt Bud W. Armstrong, son of Mrs. Ima M. Armstrong, Shattuck, OK; Top Turret Gunner, T/Sgt Charles E. Doane, son of Mrs. Katie Doane, San Diego, CA; Nose Turret Gunner, S/Sgt James H. Williams, son of Mrs. Loretta Williams⁴, Kingsland, AR; Tail Gunner, S/Sgt Julius J. Bryson, son of Mrs. Eva Marie Bryson, Greensboro, NC; Left Waist Gunner, S/Sgt Raymond H. Bourgeois, son of Mrs. Josephine Bourgeois, Gramercy, LA

---

This photo is of the crew of The Red Ryder, a WW2 B-24 Bomber on which my wife's youngest maternal uncle S/Sgt Raymond H. Bourgeois was a gunner.  He was a son of Henry Joseph and Josephine Corinne Caillouet Bourgeois of Gramercy, LA and he and his crew were lost on May 31, 1944 while returning to their base in Italy following a bombing run over the Polesti, Rumania oil fields.  He was six days shy of his 22 birthday.

The aircraft cleared the coast of Yugoslavia and was over the Adriatic sea, near the island of Vis when the pilot feathered the number 3 engine, but maintained air speed of about 150 knots. The crew was seen throwing guns, ammunition and equipment out of the aircraft in order to maintain altitude. Other planes attempted to contact the crew by radio, but were unsuccessful. At about 5000 to 6000 feet, the crew began to bail out, and 10 chutes were seen to open. All landed in the water, but none were recovered alive.

From all reports by others in formation with the Red Ryder, the bomber was not in severe distress, but no one will ever know for certain! It must have been however, since the crew did abandon it.

How we came to be in possession of the photo is forgotten.  We knew that one of the men was Raymond but unsure which.  There are no sisters or brothers remaining alive to identify him. 

It took some time for me to identify and eliminate all of the other crew members before determining that Raymond was the airman kneeling left.  Later I discovered that at the time, a protocol existed for such photos: From right to left standing, the pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier and crew chief/right waist gunner.  Then kneeling right to left was the  ball turret gunner, top turret gunner, nose turret gunner, tail gunner and left waist gunner.  But, because I did not know which gun Raymond manned, I still would have been lost.  My wife and her oldest sister thought he might have been kneeling second from right.

After obtaining the official US Army Air Force accident report and learning the names and hometowns of the men, I began a letter writing campaign to newspapers, libraries, court houses, etc. in an effort to find anyone who could identify the men.  Somewhat to my surprise, many people contacted me, including a phone call from a surviving brother of one of the men.  All of the people who wrote expressed their gratitude for the photograph and information that I had gleaned from the accident report.  Reports they had received at the time from the military either contained scant information or, were long ago lost in the dusty attics of time.

Only one newspaper - a daily in St. Louis Park, MN - refused to run my letter to the editor saying instead that it was not "public interest" and, I would have to pay advertising rates for them to include it in their publication!

My wife told me that her grandfather Bourgeois never acknowledged his son's death.  He reasoned that because his body had not been recovered, his son was not dead.  I feel certain that belief comforted him until his own death in 1953.

Readers interested in viewing more information about this research effort, and letters from relatives should click on the blog title to reach my website that feebly attempts to honor these men.

The plane in the photo is not the Red Ryder.  This photo was taken in Fresno, CA c1944, before the crew went overseas.


No. 990

William Harrison & Sara Zerilda "Relda" Coffey Parmley

Sara Zerilda "Relda" Coffey, born Dec. 28, 1858 in Monticello, Wayne Co., KY, died of cancer on Sep. 9, 1940 in Kingsville, Kleberg Co., TX, was the daughter of Andrew Jackson and Martha Jane Spann Coffey.

"Relda" was the wife of William Harrison Parmley to whom she was married on Aug. 18, 1880. William was born Sep. 13, 1858 in Wayne Co., KY and according to his death certificate died on Jan. 10, 1933 in Kingsville.

William is buried at Chamberlain Cemetery in Kingsville, and "Relda" is presumed to be there as well.

Their children were:

Robert Edward, born in Texas, died Nov., 1955, place unknown. He was a resident of Guadalupe Co., NM when he registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918. In that record he was reported to be of medium height and build with gray eyes and light colored hair. He was then a self-employed stock raiser and farmer, age 36, born Jun. 26, 1882. He lived with his wife, Vada C. Parmley in Pastura, Guadalupe Co. In 1920 he was residing with his family in Vaughn, Guadalupe Co. In that census he reported his place of birth as Kansas.

Update: Sep. 22, 2012:  Robert Married Nevada "Vada" Webb, c1903.  She was born Apr. 21, 1882 in AR and died Sep. 30, 1933 in Bryan Co., OK.  She is buried at  Bennington Cemetery, Bennington Bryan Co., OK.  Robert married a second time to a lady named Laura, married name probably Chambers.  In 1940 the family lived in Bryan Co. and there were two Chambers boys living in the household as "boarders."

Lenora, born Aug. 12, 1884 in Texas, died Nov. 20, 1884.

Charles Leroy, born in Nocona, Montague Co., TX, died Jun. 14, 1980 in Wood Co., TX. He registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Union Co., NM. He was of medium height with slender build, blue eyes and brown hair. He was 30 years old, born Jun. 4, 1887. He listed his residence then as Centerville, NM where he farmed. He was unmarried at the time of registration. He is said to have married and divorced Minnie Lee Conckle between 1908 and 1910.

Thaddeus McCall was born in Bonita, Montague Co. He married Lizzie Williams on May 28, 1915, probably in Hartley Co., TX where he registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917. He was also of medium height and build with gray eyes and brown hair. He was 26 years old, born Jun. 28, 1891 in Nocona. He was married with one child, and a resident then of Channing, TX where he was a stock man. According to his death certificate, Thaddeus died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Wichita Co., TX on May 12, 1941. He was buried at Dumas in Moore Co., TX.

William Frank, born Oct., 1892 in Texas, died Jun. 6, 1982. He married Ella Pearl Parman of Missouri in March, 1914. No other information.

Manna Netta, born Jun., 1896 in TX, died Nov. 5, 1930 in California. Married John Hamilton. No other information.

Update Sep. 22, 2012:  John Tomlinson and Manna Neta were married in 1920.  He was born Jan. 28, 1897 in GA and died in San Bernandino Co., CA on Jan. 25, 1980.  Manna died Nov. 5, 1930 in CA.  After Manna died, John remarried to a lady named Madeline M., born c1892 in PA.  No further info.

Dosia Ann, born Oct., 16, 1897 in TX, died Jan. 5, 1994 in Kleberg Co., TX. She apparently died unmarried since her death is recorded as Dosia Parmley.

Update Sep. 22, 2012:  She was unmarried and lived with her mother in Kleberg Co., TX in May, 1940.

Lula Serilda, born Aug. 14, 1899, probably in TX, died Jan. 12, 1984. She married Frank John Elzik on Jun. 24, 1922 in Kleberg. He was born Jan. 10, 1901 and died Jun. 20, 1967. 

Update Sep. 22, 2012:  Lula and Frank had at least two children:  Frank, Jr., born Aug. 1, 1923 in Kleberg Co., died there on Jul. 6, 1973 and was buried at Chamberlain Cemetery in Kingsville, Kleberg Co.  Their second child was Wilma Jean, born Mar. 24, 1926.  No further information on her.

Andrew Jackson Coffey was born c1825 in Wayne Co., KY and died Oct. 25, 1899 in Montague Co., TX.  He and Martha Jane were married on Jan. 8, 1850 in Wayne Co.  She was born c1834 in Wayne Co., and died there c1876.  Andrew was a son of Nathaniel and Louisa Durham Coffey.  Nathan was a son of Joel who was a son of James and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey.  James was a son of John Coffey and Jane Graves.

Elizabeth Cleveland is said by some to have been a daughter of Edward Coffey and Grace Cleveland; Edward being a brother to John.  I've seen no proof of this.

Both Edward and John were sons of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.

Corrections and/or additions can be sent to me at the above e-mail address.

Silas Milton & Margaret Caroline Philyaw Coffey

Silas was born Jun 16, 1886 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC to John Caroll and Nancy Evelyn Hartley Coffey. He died there on Nov. 4, 1961 and was buried in the Globe Baptist Church Cemetery at Lenoir in Caldwell Co., NC.

Margaret Caroline was born in 1889, the daughter of Gideon and Martha Teague Philyaw. She died Sep. 16, 1975 in Caldwell Co. and, although I do not have proof, is likely buried with Silas at Globe.

They were married on Nov. 5, 1905 and the photograph is a record of their 50th Anniversary celebration.

There were at least 10 children born to Silas and Margaret:

Wilma Jessie, born Dec. 5, 1909 in Mortimer Twp., Caldwell Co., and died Feb. 27, 1997 in Caldwell Co. She married Ray L. Cook there in 1930.

Beeler, born Jul. 17, 1911 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., and died Mar. 20, 1968 in Whitnel, Caldwell Co. His wife was Lema Lou Green, a daughter of Harlan and Lou Ellen Bolick Greene. They were married in Caldwell Co. in 1932. Lena was born Jan. 16, 1915 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Aug. 3, 2000. They had at least three children: Hazel, born Apr. 25, 1938, died Mar. 11, 2003; Kenneth Walter, born Oct. 14, 1940, died Sep. 26, 2001; and Bealer Wayne, born Jan. 20, 1943, died Jul. 5, 2000.

Lema's obituary:

Lema Lou Greene Coffey, 85, of Congress St., Lenoir, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, at Caldwell County Hospice.

She was born Jan. 16, 1915, in Caldwell County to the late Harlan Greene and Lou Ellen Bolick Greene. she was also preceded in death by her husband, Bealer Coffey; one son, Bealer Wayne Coffey; one daughter, Margaret Ellen Williams; one brother, Claude Greene and one sister, Alma Hartley.

She was a homemaker and a member of Globe Baptist Church.

Survivors include two suns [sic] Kenneth Coffey of Hudson and Larry Coffey of Granite Falls; three daughters, Dare Austin, Doris Bumgarner and Hazel Johnson, all of Granite Falls; 23 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and a number of great-great-grandchildren.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 962 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Floyd Raymond, born Jul. 19, 1913 in Edgemont Twp., Caldwell Co., died Oct. 9, 1983 in Caldwell Co. He married Eva Frances Ingram who was born Jun. 11, 1915 in Caldwell Co. They had at least one child, a son Charles Author [sic], born Feb. 3, 1934 and died Feb. 10, 2003 in Valdese, Caldwell Co.

His obituary:

Charles Author Coffey, 69, of Lakeview Acres Drive, Valdese, formerly of Lenoir, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at the residence.

He was born Feb. 3, 1934, in Caldwell County to Eva Ingram Coffey of Valdese and the late Floyd Coffey. He was also preceded in death by two sons, Marty Dean Coffey and Danny Michael Coffey.

He was owner of Coffey & Sons Concrete Finishing Co. and was a member of Light House Ministries in Drexel.

Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Dollie Crump Coffey of the home; two sons, Jimmy Richard Coffey of Hildebran and Gary Steve Coffey of Gamewell; a daughter, Donna C. O'Neal of Valdese; a brother, Charles Melton Coffey of George Hildebran; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 11 a.m. Thursday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Mike Ferree, Becky Trammel and Cecil Hamby officiating. Burial will follow at Globe Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Coffey, Greg Moore, Rob McGee, Shane Marshall, Scott McLeod and Nolan Clark. Bauch Coffey will be an honorary pallbearer.

Horace M., born 1915

Dock Edward, born 1917, died Jul., 1979. He married Nancy Louise Crump, born Aug. 4, 1924 in Avery Co., NC, died Jan. 29, 2003 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.

Nancy's obituary:

Nancy Louise Coffey, 78, of 10th Street Blvd., NW, Hickory, formerly of Lenoir, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, at Frye Regional Medical Center.

She was born Aug. 4, 1924, in Avery County to the late Bill and Mary Jane Woodruff Crump. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Doc Edward Coffey; three brothers, Percy, Arnold and Joe Crump, and four sisters, Alma Crump, Nell Wallace, Eva Pearson and Edith Pat Hartley.

She was retired from American Efird Mills and Bernhardt Furniture Industries and was a caregiver. She was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Marshall Edward Coffey of Boone; two daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Linda) Miller of Lenoir and Mrs. Randy (Crystal) Setzer of Morganton; a brother, Jim Crump of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Ted Williams and Ron Miller officiating. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home, and other times at the home of her daughter, Linda Miller, 1433 Bass Lane, Lenoir.

Pallbearers will be: Robbie Coffey, Chad Miller, Curt Miller, Buddy Detter, Alan Miller and Tommy Coffey.

Opal Rebecca, born Nov. 3, 1920 in Caldwell Co., died there Oct. 11, 2006. She married John Banks Myers, born Oct. 26, 1915 to Henry Dayton and Rose Dameron Myers. John died Apr. 13, 2005 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. John was a veteran of WWII and is buried at the Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir. Opal is also buried there.

Opal's obituary

Opal Coffey Myers, 85, of Union Grove Road, Lenoir, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at her residence.

Mrs. Myers was a homemaker and a devoted member of Union Grove Baptist Chu-rch for 59 years. She will be remembered especially for her dedication and love to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Mrs. Myers was preceded in death by her parents Silas and Maggie P. Coffey; her husband, J. B. Myers; a daughter, Brenda Frances Myers; a grandson, J. B. Myers III; three sisters, Wilma Cook, Edith Robbins and Faye Keller and six brothers, Horace, Doc, Bealer, Clarence, Herman and Floyd Coffey.

Opal is survived by four children, Richard Myers, Pat Myers, Sharon Jenkins and J. B. Myers Jr., all of Lenoir. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Kimberly Robbins and husband Billy, Alison Crawford and husband Jason, Emily Freeman, Addie Tucker and husband Stuart, Cody Myers and Michael W. Jenkins Jr., all of Lenoir; eight great-grandchildren, Taylor, Rhett, Nathaniel, Hannah, J.B., Reagan, Colson and Grayson.

Funeral services will be held at Union Grove Baptist Church on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 3 p.m. with Reverend Sam Craven and Reverend James Lambert officiating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Michael W. Jenkins, Jr., Cody Myers, Billy Robbins, Stuart Tucker, Jason Crawford, Austen Jud, Johnny Williams and Bobby Robbins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street SW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to Union Grove Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1808 Union Grove Road, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Herman, born c1921

Edith Evelyn, born in Caldwell Co. on Oct. 15, 1924, and died there on Feb. 5, 2005. She married Ernest Wayne Robbins.

Edith's obituary:

Edith Evelyn Coffey Robbins, 80, of Union Grove Road, Lenoir, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.

Robbins was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Caldwell County to the late Silas Milton and Margaret Caroline Philyaw Coffey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: six brothers, Dock Coffey, Clarence "Cub" Coffey, Bealer Coffey, Herman Coffey, Horace Coffey and Floyd Coffey; one sister, Wilma Cook, and a granddaughter, Lisa Herman.

Mrs. Robbins was a homemaker. Her family was her life and she was ours.
Survivors include: her husband, Ernest Wayne Robbins, of the home; two sons; Wayne Milton Robbins and wife Gail, and Bobby Robbins and wife Debbie; four daughters, Carolyn Robbins Hicks, Donna Robbins Herman and husband R.L., Cherry Robbins, and Lynn Robbins Roberts and husband Joe; two sisters, Opal Myers and husband J.B., and Faye Keller and husband John; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Graveside service was 2 p.m., Tues., Feb. 8, 2005, at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Lynn Hawkins officiating. Robbins' eight grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Pendry's Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Lillie Faye, born Apr. 16, 1928 in Caldwell Co., died Sep. 15, 2005 in Hudson, Caldwell Co. She married John J. Keller.

Lillie's obituary:

Lillie Faye Keller, 77, of Hawthorne St., Hudson, died Thursday, September 15, 2005 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

She was born April 16, 1928, in Caldwell County, to the late S. M. Coffey and Maggie Philyaw Coffey. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Ginger Webb; a great-grandson, Caleb Webb; six brothers and two sisters.

Mrs. Keller was a Homemaker and of the Baptist Faith.

She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, John J. Keller of the home; a son, Johnny Williams and wife Shelia of Granite Falls and a sister, Opal Myers of Lenoir.

Graveside service for Mrs. Keller will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 11 am at Dry Ponds Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. Rick Crouse officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of Johnny Williams, 22 Valley Street, Granite Falls.

Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Mackie-High Funeral Home is serving the Keller family.

The last child was Clarence (Cub), born Sep. 13, 1033, died May 18, 1977.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or to correct any of this information.

Photo courtesy of Margaret Coffey Farley

Bailey Eliphalet Chaney

I know...this is a Coffee/Coffey blog!  But, sometimes I like to write about other families that appear in my own family line.  So, please bear with me while I ramble a little on Bailey Eliphalet Chaney, an early Baptist preacher in the Mississippi and Louisiana Territories.

According to the Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (John McClintock, pub. Harper and Brothers, 1889) Bailey was a Baptist minister, born in South Carolina.  He was in the Natchez area of Mississippi around 1790 and found himself - along with other non-Catholic religious leaders - subject to Spanish persecution as well as prosecution. 

When the area "came under the protection of the government of the United States, the people assembled in large numbers, a brush arbor was constructed, and he was sent for; and, while the flag of the United States floated over him, he preached the Gospel of Christ unawed by the minions of Rome."

In 1798 he was run out of Louisiana after being arrested for preaching.  He was forced to leave that state and return to Mississippi, where he died in 1816.  However, in 1818 there was a Bailey E. Chaney in Franklin Co., MS who had been elected by the legislature to be a "chief justice."*

Another source, A History of the Baptist Churches in the United States (Albert Henry Newman, Christian Literature, 1894) Bailey and his family moved from Cole's Creek, MS to East Feliciana Parish in Louisiana in 1798 and began to preach.  He was arrested and released on his promise to cease preaching in that jurisdiction, and seems to have returned to Mississippi.

Elizabeth Ratliff

It is a good bet that Bailey is the ancestor of most of the Chaney families who still reside in the parishes of East Feliciana, East Baton Rouge, Saint Helena and perhaps other surrounding parishes.  He married Elizabeth Ratliff in Franklin Co., MS in 1798.  She was born on Aug. 14,1779 in that county and died on Jul. 4, 1855 in East Feliciana Parish.  Elizabeth is buried at the Bluff Creek Community Cemetery in East Feliciana Parish.  There are other Chaney and Chaney relatives resting in this old burial ground and Bailey may be there as well, but in an unmarked grave.

I know of at least ten children born to Bailey and Elizabeth between 1700 and 1816.

Sarah, born Apr. 27, 1799, died Oct. 30, 1843.  She married Joshua Howell Rollins.

Mary Ryan, born Feb. 19, 1801, died Feb. 21, 1852.  She married first James Hope Allison but I do not believe there were any children from that union.  She married second to Hugh Pinkney Montgomery on Sep. 28, 1821.  He was born on Feb. 3, 1792 in South Carolina, died Feb. 18, 1836 in East Baton Rouge Parish.  She and Hugh had at least six children.

Elizabeth Norris, born May 26, 1802.

William, born Feb. 14, 1804.

Bailey Franklin, born Feb. 16, 1896, died May 8, 1844.  He married Sarah Ann Hooper on Feb. 2, 1833 in Saint Helena Parish.  she was born Apr. 17, 1816 and died Nov. 19, 1897.  She and Bailey may have had as many as six children, but I have found only three.  After Bailey Franklin died, Sarah married Hiram Williams on Nov. 4, 1877 in East Baton Rouge Parish.

James Eliphalet, born Mar. 10, 1808.

David Madison Chaney

David Madison, born May 19, 1809, died Feb. 5, 1859.  David married first to Margaret Newson on Sep. 10, 1829 in East Feliciana Parish.  She was born May 6, 1815, a daughter of Abraham and Lowanzy [sic] Kirby.  At least four children were born to that union.  He married for a second time to Mrs. Winnifred Watson (Winnie) Vincent on Aug. 29, 1837 in Livingston Parish, La.  Winnie died Aug. 23, 1846 but not before presenting David with at least three additional children.  His third wife was Susan Bankston who he married on Oct. 13, 1846 in East Feliciana Parish.  Susan presented David with an additional five children.  David is also buried at Bluff Creek.  I do not know where his three wives are buried.

Olivia Jemima, born Sep. 27, 1812, married John Harrison of Feb. 4, 1834 in East Feliciana Parish.  John died prior to 1860 when Olivia appeared as head of household in the East Feliciana Parish census for that year.  I believe they were parents of at least eight children.

Roxana Mariah, born Sep. 27, 1812.

Olympus Octavia, born Apr. 27, 1816.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can add to or correct any of this information.  I also have additional information on some of the grandchildren of Bailey and Elizabeth.


*Mississippi: Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, Southern Historical Publishing Association, 1907, p986

Rufus Lynn and Marsha Deloras Clippard Coffey

Rufus was born Mar. 25, 1879 in Caldwell Co., NC to John and Mary (Polly) Underwood Coffey.  He was the eighth child and only son born to the union.  His wife was Marsha Deloras (Marcie) Clippard, born Aug. 9, 1879 in Lincoln Co., NC.  I have not found a marriage date for them but, estimate 1888-1889.

Rufus died Jun. 29, 1957 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC with death attributed to chronic myocarditis.  Marsha died Oct. 24, 1960 in Lenoir with death attributed to arteriosclerotic heart disease.  Both are buried at the Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir.

There were nine children born to Rufus and Marcie:

Mable, born c1900

Daisy Elizabeth, born 1903, married C. E. Jackson.  They had at least one child, a son, Wilford (Wick), born Dec. 21, 1925, died Apr. 12, 2008.  He is also buried at Belleview.

Ree S. D., born Dec. 7, 1905 in Caldwell Co., died Jul. 26, 1974 in Lenoir with death attributed to a myocardial infarction.  She married Albert P. Beck.  Ree is buried at Belleview.

Hazel H., born c1908

Stella Ruth, born Jun. 8, 1910, died of asthma on Mar. 5, 1953.  She married a Mr. Williams.  She is also buried at Belleview.

Anna Estelle, born 1912 in Lincoln Co., died 1987 in Caldwell Co.  She married Walter Watson Crisp, a son of Millard Avery and Edna Elizabeth Suddreth, in 1937.  Walter was born Apr. 4, 1908 and died Jan. 9, 1993 in Lenoir.

Carson Reeves, born Mar. 28, 1914 in Lincoln Co., died 1999 in Caldwell Co.  He married Charlotte Camilla Peeler, a daughter of the Rev. John C. Peeler and Sally Holshouser.  Charlotte was born Feb. 10, 1917 in Lenoir, and died Oct. 14, 2004 in Newton, Catawba Co.

Mildred, born Jul. 8, 1917 in Lincoln Co., died by suicide (poisoning) on May. 17, 1939 at age 21.  She was married to Fred Hinst at the time of her death.  She was buried at Belleview.

Jennings Otis, born Aug. 26, 1919 in Lincoln Co. and died Aug. 7, 2001 in Caldwell Co.  In 1947 he was married to Ollie Mozelle Roberts, a daughter of William Rufus Roberts and Ida V. Matlba.  Ollie was born Apr. 14, 1921 and died Mar. 13, 1974 from acute myocardial infarction in Lenoir.  Both are buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park, Kings Creek, Caldwell Co.

Contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.

Myra Lee Coffee

Myra Lee Coffee, born Nov. 6, 1921, died Oct. 26, 1986, was the daughter of Albert Lilburn and Ora Elizabeth Braley Coffee. She was their only daughter and was a sister to my father, Frank Hurley Coffee.

[I have other photos of her, but thought this one to be rather worthy of use here]

Myra married August Edward (Gus) Howell in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA on Oct. 19, 1938. To the union was born three children: Myra Sue, Camille (Jun 1948-Sep 1948), and August (Eddie), Jr. She and Gus, Sr. divorced and Myra was briefly married to a Mr. Rea just prior to her death.

Gus, Sr. was the son of Joe John and Caroline Zoller Howell. The Howell family is first found in Alabama in 1829. John Milam Howell was born there that year and later moved into Mississippi. He married Oney Percilla Flynt in Tishomingo Co., MS on Nov. 12, 1851. She was born Nov. 29, 1831 in Madison Co., AL and died Apr. 21, 1894 in Belmont, Gonzales Co., TX. Oney was the daughter of John Halberet and Martha Roberts Flynt.

Undoubtedly, John and Oney had more than two children [they had a daughter named Margaret for whom I've found no information]. The one son that I have found was Edward Holbert Howell, born Jul., 1853 in Holly Springs, Marshall Co., MS, died Sep. 9, 1942 in Gonzales Go., TX.

I am unsure if John and Oney moved to TX with their children, but it appears that sometime before 1875 Edward moved to that part of Texas. It was here on Feb. 2, 1875 that he married Emily Feroba [sic] Justice, a daughter of Tilman D. and Mildred Ann Williams Justice. She was born in TX c1885 and died in Gonzales Co. on Oct. 26, 1927.

Emily and Edward had at least 10 children, the fourth being Joe John on May 7, 1882, died Jun. 24, 1946. Joe John married Caroline Zoller, born c1886 in Belmont, Gonzales Co., TX, and died there on Jan. 18, 1959. Caroline was the daughter of Gustav and Evaline Zoller. Gustav was born in Mexico in Apr., 1865. Evaline was a native Texan, born there in Jul., 1865.

Joe John and Caroline had at least four children: Gus, Sr., Joe M., Mildred E., and Hazel E. Gus was born in Seguin, Guadalupe Co., TX and died on Feb. 26, 1996 in Lafayette, Lafayette Parish, LA.

Most of the Edward and Emily Justice Howell children seem to have remained in Gonzales and/or Guadalupe counties all of their lives. Many are buried the Belmont cemetery in Gonzales Co.

I have additional facts on many of these, and would like to exchange information with anyone researching this Howell family.

Joshua Elmo Coffey [Updated 7/19/2008]

Joshua Elmo (Jerry) Coffey was a son of Jesse C. Coffey and Nancy F. Allen. Jesse, born Jan. 12, 1833 in Nelson Co., VA was a son of Garland and Nancy Coffey Coffey, who were the parents of 12 children:

Mary Jane, born Jun. 8, 1855, married John A. Harris Feb. 26, 1874 in Augusta Co., VA

Joshua Elmo

Beatrice Ann, born Apr. 24, 1860, Nelson Co., married Thomas Mays, Sep. 25, 1877

William Garland, born Jun. 3, 1862, Rockbridge Co., VA

Nancy Elizabeth, born May 21, 1864 in Rockbridge Co.

Allen F. Sherman, born May 27, 1866, died Apr. 13, 1913, married Susan V. Hamilton Jun. 4, 1891, Rockbridge Co.

George Robert, born Mar. 16, 1869, Augusts Co., married Sarah Emma Lotts, Feb. 10, 1891, Nelson Co.

Jacob W., born Jun. 4, 1871 Augusta Co., married c1921 to Stella Hite

John Franklin, born Apr. 20, 1874, Augusta Co., died Dec. 21, 1944, married Willie Winsor, Aug.19, 1908, Rockbridge Co.

Emily Susan, born Jul. 9, 1876, died Dec. 9, 1876

Rosa Belle, born Jul. 21, 1878, died Jun. 14, 1920, married Robert O. Nuckols Oct. 14, 1899 in Augusta Co.

James Rucker, born Feb. 22, 1881 in Nelson Co., married Martha Rebecca Anderson Jun. 10, 1900 in Augusta Co.

Joshua Elmo was born May 13, 1857 in Augusta Co, and died Oct. 23, 1934 in Lima, Allen Co., OH. He married Emma Bridenbaugh (or, according to the title link website, Emma Breitenbach) on Mar. 31, 1881 in Pike Co., OH. Together they had at least six children:

Elmer, born Mar. 28, 1883, died Dec., 1929. Elmer married Grace LNU, born c1887 in Michigan. Their children were Vera, Thelma, Elmer, Jr., Vivian, Wenouah (female), Jack and Robert E. According to his death certificate, Elmer Sr. died on accidental Novocaine poisoning. He was buried at Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., MI.

Edythe B., born Jun. 27, 1885, died Dec. 10, 1960, married Jul. 27, 1905 in Wabanusee Co., KS to Benjamin D. H. Hartman, born Jul. 9, 1886 in Pike Co., died May 19, 1948 in Montgomery Co., OH. She is buried at Cairo, Allen Co., OH.

Asa, born May 1, 1889 - nothing found after 1917 when he registered for the WW1 draft in Lima, Allen Co., OH.

Patrick, born Sep. 10, 1890 - ditto

Grover, born Aug. 22, 1892 - nothing found after 1920 when he was living with his brother Elmer in Detroit, MI.

Hazel, born Mar. 29, 1897, died May 19, 1975.  She married Gurney C. Spurlock on Apr. 9, 1917 in Hardin Co., OH.  He was born Aug. 14, 1892 in OH and died Jul. 22, 1971 in Allen Co.  Gurney was the son of Cyrus and Margaret Spurlock.  Cyrus was the son of Levi and Eliza Williams Spurlock.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.